Independent Contractor Agreement
By completing the terms of this agreement (complete the agreement and pay the initial set up fee) you will receive a Home-Based Travel Business consisting of a landing page website, back office and training as well as a dedicated CRM. You will have the ability to sell travel as an Independent Contractor through Cornerstone Travel, 2724 61st Street, Suite 1B-24, Galveston, Texas 77551. In consideration for the monthly hosting fee, Cornerstone will provide the necessary licensing for all states in the USA that require Seller of Travel licensing or registration and will follow the legal requirements of each country where Cornerstone is legally approved to sell travel arrangements.
Cornerstone will provide to Contractor the capability to sell travel worldwide (including cruises, hotels, group travel, car rentals, tour packages, and airline tickets), a personalized website, access to applicable Travel Leaders Programs (including hotel upgrades, shipboard credits, free breakfasts, special group cruise access, etc.). All credit card charges for travel will be processed by selected travel vendors and suppliers ONLY. Independent Contractors found processing credit card fees due to suppliers will be terminated from their agreement with Cornerstone Travel. Independent Contractors may process fees ie., research fees, or booking fees on their own through their respective processing platforms.
Cornerstone will pay Contractors in good standing the following commission amounts:
Professional Travel Advisor:
*Hotels/Cars/Cruises/Packaged Tours through Approved Suppliers 80% paid to Contractor
10% paid to Sub-Agent's Agency Owner
*Independent contractors must be continuously active members of Cornerstone and all monthly dues paid to date at the time commissions are received by suppliers. Commissions are considered earned when travel is complete.
**Travel booked through non-approved suppliers will be paid out at no more than 50%.
Travel Commission Payments to Contractor will be made by 5:00 PM CST each Friday via ACH, WISE, or check. To receive commissions from travel sales the Independent Contractor must be in good standing with Cornerstone, provide all booking information in MyTAPortal with the name of the client, supplier information and amount of sale. If a booking information is not entered into MyTAPortal within 60 days or receipt of payment from the supplier all commissions will be considered Cornerstone income. Commissions will not be considered earned until travel is complete. Payments will be logged into MyTAPortal by Cornerstone and paid to the Agent, in good standing, within 30-60 days following the end of completed travel and or receipt of funds from suppliers after travel has been completed. Payouts must be over $30 USD before release to agent.
Should a Contractor be inactive from the company for over 3 billing cycles, they forfeit any and all commission that would have been paid out through that period.
Because Contractor is engaged in his/her own independent business, Contractor is not eligible for, and will not participate in, any employer pension, health or fringe benefit plan. No taxes of any kind will be withheld or paid by Cornerstone on behalf of Contractor. Contractor will comply with all tax and workers’ compensation laws according to the requirements of their own state. Prior to the issuance by Cornerstone of any commission payments to Contractor, Cornerstone will require Independent Contractor to complete a W-9 form and any such other forms necessary to ensure Cornerstone's compliance with State and Federal laws.
Contractor will be responsible for the hosting fee of $30 monthly, or $90 quarterly in order to utilize the accreditation information of Cornerstone. The fees will be automatically charged to the credit card on file from sign up and will be charged by Cornerstone Collective. Should the Contractor submit a chargeback, their account will be cancelled immediately and they will be unable to rejoin the company in the future. Any card changes on file, must be submitted to Cornerstone Collective Management prior to the monthly payment date.
Contractor will also be financially responsible for all errors, credit card charge backs and expenses related to their clients and will indemnify Cornerstone against any losses related to their travel sales or services.
To be eligible for Professional Liability Insurance and to qualify for the licensing each contractor will be required to state that they are “Independent Travel Agents with Cornerstone” on all advertisements and representations in all print and digital media.
Cornerstone also reserves the the right to perform background checks on all Independent Contractors to assure the safety of our clients. Should a Contractor have any legal issues, it is imperative the Contractor notify Cornerstone Travel immediately.
This Agreement will become effective on the date stated above and will continue in effect until terminated in writing by either party for any reason. Except in the initial 10 day period, thirty (30) days written notice is required for termination. Any charges accrued during this time will be due to the Agency by the Independent Contractor.
This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, County of Galveston.
This agreement may be changed upon written notice by Cornerstone. due to market changes or economic conditions. Any contractual change will be emailed to all Cornerstone Independent Agents at least 10 working days prior to taking effect.